[KingOfAll_Tyrants]

So two week ago my "pre-reef" tank (petco tank without a sump to learn the basics of reefing) completely crashed, and so I'm thinking about my next steps.

I'm not ready yet to get into a big (30g+) reef, I think. So that's gotten me thinking about various other ideas that I've had....namely my seagrass idea.

I've been doing some thought and research, and will start doing some more reading of the various threads here the hopes of getting this live in about two weeks.



Anyway, here's my tentative plan. Thoughts welcome

13" cube or a 20 gallon high/long (i have a stand for a 30 long that I'd put whichever tank on)

No sumps or overflows. (thermometer, etc. in the main tank)

Tunze 9004 DC skimmer (I have one sitting around) + small oxydator
Maybe about 10lbs of live rock

Two MP40s (have them sitting around. Will keep them on lagoon mode in very low settings

Light: Finnex planted+; 1x will be sufficient?

Tunze nano ATO.

Maybe a CO2 doser?

Seneye reef to keep constant watch on ammonia, co2/oxygen and ph, at least initially.


Half the tank will have about 4 inches deep, while another half will be about 1-2 inches deep. I'll place miracle mud and/or a (1 inch?) layer of eco-complete.(edited to add: it seems there are several products out there that do this - miracle mud, koralagoon substrat, mineral mud.... they probably would be better than ecocomplete, because they're made for marine fuges and are therefore more expensive...lol) That being said, if I can get appropriate wild substrate for seagrasses, that would be even better. (GCE's stuff was good last time, but I don't know if it's appropriate for seagrass)

In the deep section I'll try to raise Halophila seagrasses. In the shallower parts I'm going to try to raise several forms of macroalgae as quickly as possible.

Initial plants will be various forms of in-sand caulerpa species. C. prolifera (fast grower), paspaloides (fast), cupressoides (slow grower). I may also try gracilaria and ulva as fast growers, maybe on a piece of rock or somesuch. I may also try one of the in-sand halimeda species. (an LFS has a big strand)

I'll start the tank with a tailspot blenny and of course a substantial CUC (astrea snails, a few trochus, small cerinths and nassarius. In total aobut 12 inches of snails for the 20G. I will add a conch of some sort, and a few shrimps. Though I'd love a tuxedo urchin my previous experience suggests they might decimate whatever's on the rock?).

Once things get acclimated I may add a gorgonian, and a few more fish if I go with the 20G (lawnmower type blenny, PJ cards, and i very much would like a yellowheaded jawfish again)

I have a feeling I'll have to dose nitrate and phosphate, and maybe even carbon (vinegar? Vodka?)


Anyway, just some thoughts. Critiques/experience/suggestions most welcome!